Sunday, December 14, 2014

SEC's monthly report for November 2014





Your MonsterMail form has been completed, following are the results:


Field
Value
subject
ARES Form FSD-96
State
Ohio
Month
November
Year
2014
Number_of_ARES_Members
1632
Change_In_Numbers
13
Number_of_DECs_EC_reporting_this_month
9
Number_of_ARES_nets_active
209
Number_of_nets_with_NTS_Liaison
7
DEC_EC_callsigns
WD8PNZ W8UY W8KKY N8TFD KC8PD W8MLL KA8RLC N8SUZ W8FHF N8AUC
Number_of_drills_tests_and_training_this_month
331
Person_Hours_for_drill_tests_training
2748
Number_of_Public_Service_events
16
Person_Hours_for_public_service_events
604
Number_of_emergency_operations_this_month
6
Person_Hours_for_emergency_operations
56.5
Number_of_ARES_RACES_Events_this_month
591
Total_Person_Hours
3408.5
Comment
Several winter-weather based Skywarn nets were activated this month. A number of counties are working on the Red Cross MOU appendix, revitalizing ARES relationship with the Red Cross as their coverage areas change within Ohio. We're enthusiastically supporting this renewed partnership. Ohio Emergency Response Plan is in the very final stages of a re-write, it will include a new frequency map for ARES activities per county. We are pushing for meaningful training over the winter months, and several counties had drills and training sessions ranging from hospital activity to EMP.
Signature
Stan Broadway
mailfrom


The Ohio Section ARES Monthly Report..


Hello all, and warm holiday wishes from your SEC!  Our family is busy rehearsing for the Christmas services, having grand-tot birthdays and generally enjoying the pre-Christmas rush. I hope you are able to enjoy those who are most important in your life. Keep your priorities your priorities! 

The winter months are typically slow for public service activity (and we ~hope~ emergency stuff as well!)  It’s a great time to work up some meaningful training!  Don’t forget, EC’s, to press your people to complete the FEMA/NIMS courses! They don’t take a lot of time, your brain won’t overload, and you will have a better concept of how our safety services all work!  Email your electronic certificates to your EC, and get them to the Ohio Section database. Review your winter operations guidelines! Have you put your winter kits in your vehicles yet?

Get with the Red Cross and consider re-invigorating your relationship. The document most are considering is an appendix to the ARRL national MOU, expressing cooperation on the local level. So you’re not re-inventing an MOU, just localizing the national agreement. We’re much in favor of this activity! I think a good relationship will benefit both parties. In the agreement, it’s recognized that our first responsibility as ARES is to our EMA hosts so our priorities aren’t overlapping.

I’d like to send out thanks to those of you who maintain the repeaters in the Ohio Section!  You guys get little thanks most of the time, and we users tend to act like you’re public utilities especially when the machines go down!  In the Ohio Section, our ARES communications depend on strong repeaters- and we certainly have those!  So thank you, for the hours of work in the background, for coughing up your funds to keep equipment current and working, and for being there to provide a vital part of our amateur radio hobby! 

I am almost finished with a re-write of the Ohio Section Emergency Response Plan (OSERP). It’s a solid plan, and we’ve stayed with the basic provisions of the plan. However, there were some necessary changes and additions. There was no mention of the Ohio Digital Emergency Net or digital transmission. We need also to change our focus on frequencies!  80 meters is non-functional during daylight hours, and the evening hours are not much better with QRM and nastiness.  I want to re-direct our primary frequency to our successful 40 meter band- 7.240 is our first choice.  Another slight adjustment takes NIMS and the Incident Command System into consideration. It’s axiomatic that any emergency or major event in a county is going to center around the EMA’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC). That’s the first place we’ll be, and that’s generally where the EC should be in order to mesh with the county community. Typically, health, Red Cross and shelter interests would be represented at the EOC as well, so the adjustment just makes sense. We are still using a “County Control Station” and other “Control Stations” as needed at partner agencies, just putting a bit more emphasis on the EOC.  This re-write will also include contact information for each county EC and DEC, and will include something new- an Ohio Section Frequency Map- with as many frequencies as we can gather. Using this, any outside help will be able to at least have a starting point for repeaters and simplex frequencies.

I would like to announce the resignation of my ‘right hand man’, Mark Griggs, KB8YMN.  Mark has lead the ARESMAT organization, and has served the Ohio Section for a number of years in this critical position. In addition, he’s just a great guy. Mark has decided to channel his interest into the very impressive “Ohio Task Force One” organization. I’m jealous!  Thanks, Mark, for all your work.  Our ARESMAT program is continuing, with meetings set for after the holidays to get the “final final” SOG’s in writing, and start serious recruiting.

Another major expert is leaving the active Ohio Section roster- District 5 EC Jim Aylward, KC8PD, has a ton of emergency ‘chops’ and has been one of my go-to experts!  Jim is channeling his efforts to be closer to the EMA organization, so we’ll still have him as a reference.  I have appreciated my conversations with Jim- our coffee meetings always last a while! I am looking for someone to take over District 5- hopefully someone in the Akron-Canton area for travel convenience.

Thank you Jim and Mark, and thank you to all our ARES volunteers for the time and energy you’ve given us.  You all make this happen!

-Stan, N8BHL

Here are our monthly comments-

District 1
Seneca County- No comment
Huron County-1 Skywarn event for Severe Thunderstorm Warning. No damage reported.
Sandusky County- Skywarn activation for Severe Thunderstorm Warning on November 25th with lines down and one powerpole blown over.
Hancock County- No Comment
Erie County- Sky Warn event 11/24/14 5 man hours Severe Thunder storm Warning for Erie Cnty. Many
Wood County-
Lucas County-
Ottawa County-

District 2
Last teaching session in Williams Co. for NIMS/ICS 101(C) Test scheduled for 12/14

District 3
DISTRICT 3 SUMMARY-  Eight of eight counties reporting, 323 Members, 68 Events (37 Voice Net Sessions, 6 Digital Net Sessions, 3 Public Service Events, 0 Emergency Operations, 25 Other Events.
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY- Four weekly net sessions.
CLARK COUNTY- Three weekly net sessions, two other events including monthly ARES meeting featuring presentation on Hamnet Mesh Networking by Greene County Digital Coordinator Bill Curtice WA8APB.
DARKE COUNTY- Four weekly net sessions, one other event; one Public Service Event supporting Greenville Annual Christmas Parade.
GREENE COUNTY- Four weekly voice nets, four weekly digital nets, four weekly Hamnet Mesh discussion nets, support for jointly sponsored license courses and VE test session, GCARES/Miami Valley Mesh Alliance Hamnet monthly meeting, meeting with Beavercreek Township fire chief.
MIAMI COUNTY- Five weekly voice nets, one monthly digital net, four other events including monthly ARES/RACES meeting featuring presentation on Hamnet Mesh Networking by Greene County Digital Coordinator Bill Curtice WA8APB.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY- Four weekly voice nets, one digital net, two other events.
PREBLE COUNTY- Four weekly nets, one public service event assisting Darke County ARES with Christmas parade, seven other events.
SHELBY COUNTY- Five weekly nets, one public serevice ent supporting Wintger Wonderland Parade, two other events including monthly ARES meeting and ICS/EOC Interface Workshop.

District 4
(Partial report, two counties)
Butler- The Dial Radio Club in Middletown installed and
put on the air the first Amateur DMR repeater in Butler County at the end of
November.  With plans of adding one in Hamilton sometime in 2015.  And would
encourage other counties in the District to explore this option if a repeater
currently isn't available.
Clinton- no comment

District 5
Stark County- Stark County ARES completed 4 public service training nets for the month of November that totaled 161 check-ins. ARES members assisted the Massillon ARC with communications support for the annual Massillon Holiday Parade. Seventeen volunteers provided logistics and support communications for this event. The club also provided staging support to assemble the over 100 units that made up this years parade. The event provided 68 hours of community service. Complete details of the event are posted on the Stark County ARES website at www.wd8aye.net.
Summit County- Nothing for this month - Wishing Everyone Happy Holidays!!
Portage County- Again AEC Sandy, KD8JCY does a superb job with training during Portage County's biweekly ARES nets.

District 6
Knox-  Report not filed
Marion- ARES training session subject was effect an Electro Magnetic Pulse (EMP) would have. A National Geographic video was viewed along with other information on what is an EMP, the effect it would have on the electirc grid and how the ARES members should prepare if one does occure. The Marion ARES also created a RACES group by signing an MOU with the county EMA director. EC Lynn Lovell met with the Red Cross Chapter director to establish a closer relationship between the two organizations. The ARES also now has the Amateur Radio call W8MRN for use on nets and during emergency communications from the EOC at the Marion County Fairgrounds location.
Medina- Report not filed
Richland- Richland County ARES had four weekly nets. Richland County ARES yearly SET was conducted with 12 operators working with the local hospital testing equipment and digital communications.
Wayne-  Report not filed
Wyandot- The Wyandot County Hams met on November 13th at the Wyandot Memorial Hospital conference rooms. We discussed details pending for a special event station at the Wyandot County Fair. The Christmas dinner party meeing will be December 11th at 6-00pm at the Corner Inn Restaurant in Upper Sandusky. “73”

District 7
Delaware No Report
Fairfield No Comments
Fayette No EC
Franklin No Comments
Hardin No EC
Licking Licking County ARES had a busy November. We continued our usual nets and support activities for the CERT communications system for the new CERT trailer, worked with the Licking County Red Cross in a discussion with Denison University students who are preparing a grant proposal for communications equipment for the office, as well as working with Jim Sage and Nick Riehl for the Statement of Cooperation between Licking County Red Cross and Licking County ARES. We also took part in a drill based on Infectious Disease Drill with the EMA office. Our part was separate from the primary focus, but involved sending text messages between the 911 Center and Licking Memorial Hospital. Our part in this exercise was successful, and we confirmed several known issues and identified new items to be improved. The After Action Report for our part of! this drill is attached.
Logan No EC
Madison We've added a few new members (some young blood) and are in the final stages of getting our digital setup finished. We also have some other exciting news and will report on that as soon as we get everything done. 2014 has been a good year for us. Nothing major happened and we participated, with good feedback in several emergency tests with the local EMA and hospital.
Perry PERRY County worked on installation of wire antenna at the PERRY County EMA
Pickaway No Comments
Union No Report

District 8
Counties reporting- Athens, Hocking, Jackson, Lawrence, Scioto EC Comments-
Athens- The Athens County ARA and Sunday Creek Amateur Radio Federation joined to support the Bobcat Trail Marathon at Burr Oak Lake State Park on Sunday November 2 with a total of 13 operators utilizing a simplex net.
Hocking- HVARC once again assisted with the set up and preparation of the Logan Veterans Parade. It is always a great privilege for us to participate in this event and to help honor the men and women of Hocking County who sacrificed so much to protect our country and our freedom. A heartfelt thank you to all veterans!
DEC comments- The DEC has been communicating with representatives of Red Cross of Central Ohio regarding the formalization of an MOU for communications support similar to the one between ARRL and American Red Cross. The DEC is working to get signatures to the MOU from the local EC or local radio club where no EC currently exists. DEC has also been creating a list of local repeaters and simplex frequencies used for emergency operations. File attached.

District 9
COSHOCTON CO- Conducted a radiogram instructional class with KL7RF leading the class. How to do the same with 213 forms, etc. I and KB8HEA participated as ground crew for county. Thanks KB8HEA. Did some work on antenna on EMA roof. KB8HEA continues to take care of ARES 145.23. And KL7RF has checked into OHDEN.
GERNSEY CO- On November 22 a Skywarn/ARES net was initiated due to freezing rain in the area. 10 Skywarn / ARES operators checked and reported on traffic and ice conditions. After 1 1/2 hours the net was secured. During the November 22 regular ARES training net two pieces of formal traffic received from the Ohio Single Side band net was passed. ARES assisted with both the Queen's parade and Christmas parade. ARES provide tactical 2 meter FM simplex communications for coordination of both of the parades. The monthly training session was conducted on November 15 with 11 ARES members in attendance. Training included net preambles and radiograms. Members accomplished training radiograms and then transmitted the radiograms on a simplex frequency to a receive station. AECs Bruce, N8JMK and Larry, KD8QYV met with Red Cross to discuss an MOU. AEC Larry, KD8QYV has met several times with the county EMA director to discuss EOC operations and modifying the ICS 213 for ARES use. An emphasis has been placed on the ARES members being able to use their two meter radios on simplex frequencies, using sub-audibles, and generally being able to operate their radios. Larry, KD8QVY was appointed as an AEC and been very involved in building the ARES program in the county.
JEFFERSON CO- We lost a dedicated ARES member with the passing of W8DYF, Joe will be missed by all. Our last meeting was a brain-storming session for winter preparedness, a lot of great ideas were discussed and we are all working to be 'ready' should the need arise
MUSKINGUM CO- County ARES members present at Nov. meet, reviewed Statement of Cooperation between the Red Cross and MCARES (KB8MCA). Also, after a few emails with the Red Cross Leadership, Muskingum County ARES and Red Cross signed Statement of Cooperation
NOBLE CO- No Comments
DEC-9- No reports from Belmont, Monroe, or Morgan Co.Also Red Cross statement of understanding has been sent to all ECs in district nine for review.

District 10
Ashtabula D10 County- November was a great month for AshCo ARES members! We had a number of awards, QSL cards and certificates finally make it in from the events that we participated in over the Summer months. We also took 3rd place in the Ohio State Parks On The Air contest! We are in the test phase, per say, of trying out a couple 440 repeaters that we've acquired in hopes of setting up a decent county-wide, linked system. So far things are looking positive! We are looking forward the club's Christmas dinner/celebration coming up this Saturday. Over 50 people have signed up as of 4 days ago. Here's to a safe start to the snowy season ahead of us! 
Cuyahoga County- November was generally quiet in Cuyahoga County. With the closing of the Continental Airlines Concourse at Cleveland Hopkins Airport, the city decided it was an excellent opportu! nity to practice an "Active Shooting" exercise. This was a local drill for policy formulation, without "scoring" issues. ARES was invited to participate as backup communications. 14 Members from Cuyahoga and surrounding counties adjusted personal schedules and vacation days to participate. ARES role resulted as observers at two points in the terminal with a net control at the Resource Center. With extra manpower we were able to rotate Net Control Duties through the 4 scenarios and test 70CM, 2M, 6M repeaters and simplex frequencies at various parts of the exercise terminal. The necessity of a thought out ICS-205 was proven as the two local primary repeaters failed the day of the test and alternate channels were used. Cuyahoga County wishes all a safe and Happy Holidays.
Geauga County- None
Lake County- None
Lorain- ARES members participated in the Pumpkin Patrol on Nov 1, which positions amateur radio operators on key highway overpasses to be able to spot suspicious activity and alert law enforcement as to potential individuals attempting to throw items on the roadways. On Nov 4, ARES members at the request of the Lorain County EMA, manned vote collection sites around the county to report via radio activity at the sites to the EOC.